Sibrand
1190
Gerard
1192
Heinrich
prior 1193/1194
Ulrich
1195
Heinrich (probably identical with Heinrich Walpot
præceptor 1196
01 Heinrich Walpot
1198-
02 Otto von Kerpen
-1209
03 Heinrich Bart
1209
04 Hermann von Salza
1209-1239
So we may be sure that the knights of the order wore a habit of a white cloak with a black cross. About the shields the different knights bore we are not so well informed be it that in the course of the 13th century it becomes clear that they were charged with different figures. The first High Master from whom it is known that he bore a coat of arms is Hermann von Salza (1209-‘39). We have a quote in Wijbergen Armorial (no. 1267) in which a coat of arms is ascribed to Le.Roy.de hongrie being barry of six pieces Argent and Sable, a carbuncle (thunderbolt) its arms ending in fleurs de lis, Or.
To explain the title of King of Hungary we have to take into consideration that the Teutonic Order was brought into action against the Kumenes by King Andrew II of Hungary. From Burzenland (around the later (1271) Kronstadt (= Brasov)) the Order operated so succesfully that it could add a large territory to Burzenland. The danger of a ‘state into a state’ became so acute that Andrew II decided to expel the Order in 1225.
Arms of the King of Hungary
in Wijnbergen Roll
The power of Hermann von Salza in Transilvania was certainly comparable with this of a (co-) king and he was in that respect the equal of Koloman, who was for a short time co-king in Bosnia and later in Galicia, and Bela IV who possessed by life of his father Dalmatia, Crotia and Slavonia. Of these two princes there are other entries in Wijnbergen Armorial. The first is barry Gules and Argnet, the second, Azure, strewn with crosses Or, thee king’s heads proper.
We know that the coat of arms of Andrew II himself was barry with in the pair bars seven lions passant and three hearts. The black and white arms with the thunderbolt for certain has not been of one of the members of the royal family but from somebody who had a position comparable with theirs. Generally also, a thunderbolt was the emblem of a bailiff or first warrior and for the reign of Andrew II Hermann von Salza is a acceptable candidate. For that reason I propose that the arms with the bars in the colours of the Teutonic Order with the golden thundebolt, also taking into account the later coat of arms of the Grand Master, be accepted as the first arms of Hermann von Salza, borne by him in Burzenlandfrom about 1221 until 1225. The thunderbolt would mean that he had the office of bailiff in Burzenland and the arms that he bore later would have been a development of this coat of arms.
The arms of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order was a cross charged with another cross andan escutcheon with the German Eagle
A mould stone has been found not long ago in Palestine. It is a mould stone to model the leather sheet for a shield cover. The escutcheon has a width of about 1/5 to 1/6 of the width of the shield to which it had to be attached.
The stone was found in Montfort, a fortress existing between 1220 and 1271. The shape of the eagle is more to the credit of the beginning than the end of this period. We then come to the reign of Hermann von Salza. During his term of office the Order built Montfort fortress near Acre for which they had received the parcel from Leopold VI of Austria (1227). Two years later, during the sixth Crusade the Order received an important parcel in Jeruzalem, which makes it likely that the stone dates from 1227-’29. href="#_edn1" [1] The augmentation of the coat of arms of the Order with a golden lily-cross and the escutcheon with the black eagle in this period agrees with the tradition telling that the escutcheon was granted by Emperor Frederick II to Hermann von Salza to confirm his rank as an Imperial Prince. href="#_edn2" [2]
If the coat of arms of the Grand Master was really created about 1229 this would be explained by the important position Hermann von Salza held the the imperial court. He was the most important advisor of Frederick II and a tireless mediator between him and the successive popes. He also played an important role in the 5th and 6th Crusade and acted as an arbitrator to end the excommunication of Frederick II in 1230. After his death in 1239 there was nobody to continue his diplomacy and Frederick II was finally excommunicated, causing his fall in 1245
Mould stone .
Palestine 2nd-3rd quarter of the 13th century. Plaster cast 25´18´11.6 cm. New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 28.99.11
Form of a shield with eagle and fleur de lis H ´ W of the shield: 12.5 ´ 11.3 cm ca. Heighth of lily: 12.5 cm
Gathering from the additions to the arms of Hernman von Salza is what Frederick II planned to do with the Order and its Grand Master. The escutcheon is identical to the arms of the German King, an office his son Henry VII held only since 1228. These arms refer to the office of warlord of the Roman- and German King, the fleurs de lis are the symbol of royal armed authority and are in this quality on the ends of the royal sceptres. This is in agreement with the sovereign rights Hermann von Salza had received for Prussia by Golden Bull of Rimini. href="#_edn3" [3]
Because of the date of the moulding stone, 1226 is the preferable date the arms can have been granted. To this it has to be taken into account that Prussia was granted to Hermann von Salza, his successors and his House, as stipulated in the Bull. Prussia was not given to the Order but to the Grand Master of the Order. Lily cross and escutscheon with eagle are consequently the arms of the ruler of Prussia. Certainly Hermann von Salza had borne it on the black cross of the Order be it that that cannot be derived from the moulding stone.
These arms are a splendid expression from the role of arbitrator of Hermann von Salza between Emperor and Pope because on the one hand he represents himself as a member of a military order dedicated to the pope even when an element has been added referring to his subordination to imperial authority
05 Konrad von Thüringen
1239-1240
Separated bearing of arms however is likely of the successor of Hermann von Salza, Landgraf Konrad von Thüringen (1239-1240). Of him no coat of arms is known resembling the coats of arms borne by the next Grand Masters and which consists of a black cross charged with a golden lily cross and an escucheon with eagle. On the contrary on his tomb in Marburg there are the arms of Thüringia and the arms of the Order juxtaposed. The preseved shield with the Thuringian lion and a smaal shield with the arms of the Order is certainly not authentic because the shape of the arms of the Order is younger than the shield itself.
Shield of Grand Master Landgraf Konrad von Thüringen, about 1240 href="#_edn4" [4]
Limewood, upholstered on both sides with a piece of parchment. Attached on a blue background a lion made of thick leather, painted with eight white and red bars. The little shield ‘of the Order’ between the hindlegs of the lion added later. href="#_edn5" [5]
Arms of Grand Master Landgraf Konrad von Thüringen
On his tomb in the Church of St. Elizabeth in Marburg 1250 ca
Arms: D.: Argent, a cross Sable (Teutonic Order); S.: Azure, a lion barry Gules and Argent (Thuringia)
About the arms of the Grand Master it is remarkably silent after 1226/1240. There are no representations of the arms available from before the beginning of the 14th century.
06 Gerhard von Mahlberg
1241-1244
07 Heinrich von Hohenlohe
1244-1250
08 Günther von Wüllersleben
1250-1252
09 Poppo von Osterna
1252-1256
10 Anno von Sangerhausen
1256-1273
11 Hartmann von Heldrungen
1273-1282
12 Burkhard von Schwanden
1282-1290
13 Konrad von Feuchtwangen
1291-1296
14 Gottfried von Hohenlohe
1297-1303
15 Siegfried von Feuchtwangen
1303-1311
It is likely that the arms of the Grand Master came only into use after all of Prussia was captured and the see of the Grand Master was moved to Marienburg in Prussia.
16 Karl von Trier
1311-1324
In this time, during the term of office of Karl von Trier (1311-’24) other representations of the arms appear and afterwards there is an uninterrupted tradition. An old representation of the arms of the Grand Master is on the seal of the commandery of Elbing (Elblag) from 1319. On it are the arms of the Grand Master, the black cross charged with a cross botonny.
The most impressive piece is the shield ascribed to Karl von Trier on which shield and crest is reperesented. Here also, the second cross is a cross botonny.
Shield of Grand Master Karl von Trier (1311-’24)
German, 1320 ca. Fir-wood with leather upholstery and painting 98.5´57.5 cm.
Innsbruck Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum href="#_edn6" [6]
Arms: Argent a cross Sable, charged with a cross bottony Or and an escutcheon of the King of Germany over all
Crest: A screen of the arms.
Seal of the Commander of Elbing, 1319
Arms: Cross charged with a cross botonny and an escutcheon of an eagle in the middle. L.: S. CONMENDATORIS DE ELBINGO. href="#_edn7" [7]
Secret seal of Karl von Trier, 1323
Arms: As before. L.: SECRET FRIS KAR MAGRI FRM TEVT. href="#_edn8" [8]
17 Werner von Orseln
1324-1330
18 Luther von Braunschweig
1331-1335
19 Dietrich von Altenburg
1335-1341
On the secret seal of Dietrich von Altenburg (1335-’41) the second cross is a cross potent suggesting an association with the cross of Jeruzalem. The use of this cross is said to have been approved later by Pope Boniface IX (1389-1404). In any case such a cross appeared afterwards on coins minted by the Order in Prussia after 1375. There is also a representation in Gelre Armorial, again with a helmet and crest ‘of the arms’.
20 Ludolf König
1342-1345
21 Heinrich Dusemer
1345-1351
22 Winrich von Kniprode
1351-1382
Arms and crest of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order
as in Armorial Gelre, fol. 111v°. L.: Die meyster v Prusen
Silver Shilling, 1380 and after
Obv.: Grand Master’s arms with cross potent (lily-cross?). L.: MAGISTER WYNRIC[u]S PRIM[u]S
Rev.: Arms of the Order. L.: MONETA D[omi]NORVM PRUSCI[ae]. href="#_edn9" [9]
23 Konrad Zöllner von Rotenstein
1382-1390
Greater ensign of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order
Wall painting in Lochstadt Castle of the Order href="#_edn10" [10]
Greater Ensign: White with three lappets, a black cross charged with a yellow cross potent and an escutcheon Or, an eagle Sable on the crossing
24 Konrad von Wallenrod
1391-1393
Silver quarter (‘vierchen’) 1390 ca
Nürnberg, Germ’s Nat. Mus. Mü 630
Obv.: Grand Master’s arms with cross potent. L: MAGISTER GENERALIS
Rev.: Cross. L.: DOMINORVM PRVSSIE
25 Konrad von Jungingen
1393-1407
Fresco in Malbork (Marienburg) Castle, 1404-‘07
Watercolor by AG, 1892.
Representing the crested arms of office of the Grand Master, the arms of the Marshal and the personal arms of Jungingen. The arms of Jungingen are:
Arms: Quarterly Argent and Azure.
Crest: Two horns set with peacock plumes.
26 Ulrich von Jungingen
1407-1410
Greater Ensign of the
Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 1410
By Jan Długosz fol 1.
A well known representation of the arms of the Grand Master is in the “Banderia Prutenorum” of Jan Dlugosz. In this manuscript the banners captured by the Poles at the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410 are represented.
Greater Ensign: White, the fly split in three, a black cross potent charged with another goldencross potent and an escutcheon Or, an eagle Sable crowned Or in the middle.
The legend reads:
Banderium magistri cruciferorum maius, quod magister generalis Vericus de Junigen ducebat: in quo erant sui prestanciores curienses et milites. Paludamentum autem suum, in quo occisus est, ex albo harassio, insigni infra scripto intextum, habet ecclesia parochialis in Kige pro una casula.
Greater ensign of the master of the crusade which the Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen flew leading the members of the curia and soldiers. The mantle in which he was killed distinguished itself from the white chasuble preserved in the parish church of Kige.
Nota: hoc banderium continent in longitudine tres ulnas et latitudine duas cum quartali unius ulne (= 210´157cm ca)
Lesser ensign of the
Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 1410
By Jan Długosz, fol 2
Lesser Ensign: As before but plain cloth
The legend reads:
Banderium magistri cruciferorum minus; sub quo erant milites cruciferorum ordinis magis notabiles et prestantes et aliqui milites mercenarii, qui ex varis Almanie partibus advenerant, et aliqui curiensis atque cubicularii magistri
Lesser ensign of the Master of the Crusade under which were the more elevated priests and soldiers of the Crusader Order and mercenaries from different parts of Germany, and some masters from the curia and chamberlains
Nota: Hoc banderium minus alias gonicza chorongew continet in longitudine unam ulnam cum quartali, in latitudine autem unam ulnam tantum (= 87´70 cm ca)
27 Heinrich von Plauen
1410-1413
28 Michael Küchmeister
1414-1422
29 Paul von Rusdorf
1422-1441
Grand Master’s Seal of Paul von Rusdorf, 1423
(Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych w Warszawie, Zb. dok. perg. nr 0089)
The second cross on the arms a cross potent.
30 Konrad von Erlichshausen
1441-1449
On 1442 the statutes of the Order were revised. Probably in relation therewith the cross was changed into lily-cross. This appeared, it is said, for the first time on the tomb of the Master of the German Bailiwick, Eberhard von Saunsheim (†1443) and later on a representation of Ludwig von Ehrlichshausen (1450-’67) in Königsberg cathedral. Both testimonies however could not be found or have disappeared altogether.
In the meantime the positition of the Teutonic Order in Prussia was considerably weakened. In 1410 the Order had been given a heavy blow by the Poles at the battle of Tanneberg from which it was not able to recover. In 1466 the Order had to recognize the Polish king as its suzerein, and its authority was reduced to half of the territory it had possessed before.
31 Ludwig von Erlichshausen
1450-1467
Arms of the “hochmeister zu pruſſen”
in the Berliner Wappenbuch, 1450-‘60
The golden cross still a cross potent
32 Heinrich Reuss von Plauen
1467-1470
Coat of arms of Heinrich Reuß von Plauen
in the St. Gallen armorial (Cod. sang. 1084)
Arms: Grand Master’s arms between the arms of the German Master
Legend: Ala reus von plawen hochmeister In preuſſen und Cpytal here zu iheruſalem
33 Heinrich von Richtenberg
1470-1477
34 Martin Truchsess
1477-1489
35 Johann von Tieffen
1497-1489
Groschen of Johann von Tiefen
Obv.: Grand Master’s Arms, the cross extending over the borders of the shield. L.: MAG[i]ST[er] IOH[an]N[e]S DE TIEFEN.
Rev.: Arms of the Order. L.: MONETA D[omi]NORVM PRVS[siae]
36 Friedrich zu Sachsen
1498-1510
Photo Hubert de Vries
Grand Master’s Arms
On a Triptych of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, funded by Frederick of Saxony, 1504
Coll. Museum of Marienburg Castle
Considering a probable restoration of the power of the Order a member of the powerful dynasty of Saxony was appointed Grand master in 1498. Chosen because of his dynastic qualities Friedrich von Sachsen (1498-1510) broke with the meanwhile grown tradition to bear the familiy arms and the arms of office separately. href="#_edn11" [11] The seal of the Order on which was represented the Virgin Mary and Child since the 13th century disappeared. On the new seal the arms of the Grand Master was reperesented with in the four quarters escutcheons of the arms of Saxony, Thuringia, Meissen and the Palatinate of Saxony. href="#_edn12" [12]
Seal: Arms: Argent, a cross Sable charged wit a lily-cross Or and an escutcheon of Germany in the middle. In the four quarters the arms of Saxony, Thüringia, Meissen and Palatinate of Saxony on escutcheons with semi-circular bases. L.: S FRIDERICH VON GOTZ GNADEN DEUTSCH ORDENS HOHMEISTER HERTZOG ZU SACHSSEN.
Photo Hubert de Vries
Arms of Friedrich zu Sachen (courtoisie)
On his tomb in Meissen Cathedral
Arms of Friedrich zu Sachsen
in a 17th century manuscript href="#_edn13" [13]
37 Albrecht zu Brandenburg-Ansbach
1511-1525
The renewal of Friedrich zu Sachsen was adopted slightly modified by Albrecht von Brandenburg (1511-’25). On his seal the Grand Master’s Cross is on a shield quarterly of Brandenburg Pomerania, Nurnberg and Zollern. In the same way all of his successors have combined their personal arms with the Grand Master’s cross.
Arms of Albrecht von Brandenburg with griffin supporters
Printed by Georg Osterberger href="#_edn14" [14]
Å “Der Vier unde dreissigste hoch.. hochmaiste: Albrecht Burgrave zu Bran href="#_edn15" [15]
Arms: ¼ of Brandenburg, Pommern, Neurenberg and Hohenzollern; over all the Grand Master’s cross. L.: ALBERTVS DEI G MAGISTER GENERALIS.
38 Walter von Cronberg
1527-1543
Nach der Säkularisation des Ordens unter dem letzten in Preußen residierenden Hochmeister Markgraf Albrecht von Brandenburg im Jahre 1525 wurde der Deutschmeister Walther von Cronberg auf demAugsburger Reichstag 1530 von Kaiser Karl V. mit der hochmeisterlichen Würde und mit Preußen belehnt.
Appointed Master of Germany (Deutschmeister) on 16 December 1526 and a year later Grand Master of the Order with the right to call himself Administrator of the Grand Mastery (Administrator des Hochmeistertums). Later the title became Grand- and German Master (Hoch- und Deutschmeister)
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Deutschmeister
Arms: ¼: 1&4: Argent a cross Sable (German Master); 2&3: Quarterly Gules and Vair (Cronberg) and the Grand Master’s cross over all.
Crests: Grand Master, D.: German Master and S.: Cronberg
Arms of G.M. Walter von Cronberg
On a medal to him, 1532 href="#_edn16" [16]
Modern rendering
39 Wolfgang Schutzbar called Milchling
1543-1566
Arms of the Grandmaster of the Teutonic Order Wolfgang Schutzbar called Milchling (†1566).
(Bayrische Staatsbibliothek Cod.Icon. 308, fol. 57)
Arms: ¼: 1. The Order; 2&3: Aregent, a trefoil Sable (Schutzbar); 4. Argent, a mitre proper. The cross of the Grandmaster charged with the arms of Germany over all.
Crest: The Grandmaster; D.: Of the Order; S.: Schutzbar.
Georg Hund von Wenckheim
1566-1572
Achievement of Georg Hund von Weckheim
Arms: ¼: 1&4. The Order; 2&3: Gules, a horse’s head bridled Argent (Von Wencheim). The cross of the Grandmaster charged with the arms of Germany over all.
Crests: The Grandmaster; D.: Of the Order; S.: Von Wenckheim
Silver Thaler, 1575
L.: HEINRICH V BOBENHAVSEN ADMINISTRATOR IN....
Arms of Heinrich von Bobenhausen
in a 17th century manuscript [17]
Crest: The Grandmaster; D.: Of the Order; S.: Bobenhausen
Larger arms in Mergentheim Castle
Å lesser archducal arms
Lesser Arms: ¼: 1. Arpad; 2 Bohemia; 3. 1|2 Austria-Burgundy; 4. 1|2 Tirol-Habsburg. Grand Master’s cross
Larger Arms: ¼ 1. Per fess the base per pale: Arpad, Aragon, Brabant; 2. Per fess the base per pale: Bohemia, Steyermark, Carinthia; 3. Tierced per pile embowed: Elsas, Kyburg, Pfirt; 4. Tiered per pile embowed: Krain, Gorizia, Windische Mark. And a base per pile embowed tierced per pale: Upper Austria, Cilly, Portenau.
Crown: A princely Hat
Supporter: The Grand Master’s Cross.
Achievement of Maximilian by Theodor de Bry
In: Admiranda Narratio, 1590
Larger arms, crown and Grand Master’s cross as before and two crowned lions guardant for supporters added.
Achievement of Maximilian von Österreich, 1593-‘95
Above the main entry of Mergentheim Castle
Arms: ¼: I.: Per fess the chief 1|2 of Arpad and Hungary, the base 1|3 of Castile, Leon and Austria; II. Per fess the chief of Bohemia, the base 1|3 of Burgundy, Steyermark and Carinthia; III. Tierced per fess and parted per pale: 1. Elsass; 2. Kyburg; 3. Pfirt; 4. Tyrol; 5. Cilly; 6. Lower Austria; IV. Tierced per fess and parted per pale: 1. Krain; 2. Görz; 3. Habsburg; 4. Windische Mark; 5. Portenau; 6. Silesia. Grand Master’s cross.
Crown: A princely hat
Arms and Crown: As before.
Crests: Austria; D.: The Grand Master’s; S.: Of the Order
Supporters: A lion sejant and two griffins, helmeted and crested.
Achievement of Maximilian von Österreich, after 1595
Arms: As before but the quarter for Hungary (I-2) omitted and the quarter for Silesia (IV-6) replaced by the arms of Upper Austria.
Crowns, crests and Supporters as beforet